Republican lawmakers await Governor Edwards’ decision on a potential veto of legislation they passed that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency.
Edwards says he plans to talk to the bill’s author and legislative leaders, but he already has a blanket policy about efforts to undermine his emergency authority
“If this bill takes tools out of the toolbox that I believe are essential to properly managing the public health emergency then it is not going to meet with my approval,” said Edwards, speaking Wednesday on Ask the Governor.
If signed the legislation would allow, on a majority vote of the House and Senate, for specific public health restrictions to be eliminated while maintaining the rest of the emergency declaration. That would trigger 30 days after the initial emergency declaration was made and a renewal of the declaration was sought.
Edwards said he will surrender any authority to people whose approach he finds “totally unreasonable.”
“There are folks here who either believe that it is a hoax or what to minimize it. They think we should have everything open without restriction and no mitigation measures in place,” said Edwards.
Edwards said he needs every tool available to make sure that more people don’t die from this virus than is necessary.
“The constitution charges me with the authority and therefore the obligation to manage public health emergencies and we are in a public health emergency in Louisiana,” said Edwards.
Should Edwards veto this legislation, the House could have a majority of its members sign a petition that would end the public health emergency, triggering a likely court battle.
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